About Me

Wednesday, 5 August 2009

Poem (An Extract From Summoned By Bells) John Betjeman

The 'Percival Mandeville' extract from Summoned By Bells comes from the beginning of the chapter about going to private boarding school. The lie Betjeman told to get out of fighting reflects with great credit on Mandeville, who, strong and clever though he was, would never 'hit a chap when he was down'.Extract from Summoned By BellsPercival Mandeville, the perfect boy,Was all a schoolmaster could wish to see-Upright and honourable, good at games,Well-built, blue eyed; a sense of leadershipLifted him head and shoulders from the crowd.His work was good. His written answers, madeIn a round, tidy and decided hand,Pleased the examiners. His open smileEnchanted others. He could also frownOn anything unsporting, mean or base,Unworthy of the spirit of the schoolAnd what it stood for. Oh the dreadful hourWhen once upon a time he frowned on me!Just what had happened I cannot recall-Maybe some bullying in the dormitory;But well I recollect his warning words:"I'll fight you, Betjeman, you swine, for that,Behind the bike shed before morning school."So all the previous night I spewed with fear.I could not box: I greatly dreaded pain.A recollection of the winding punchJack Drayton once delivered, blows and bootsUpon the bum at Highgate Junior School,All multiplied by X from Mandeville,Emptied my bladder. Silent in the dormI cleaned my teeth and clambered into bed.Thin seemed pyjamas and inadequateThe regulation blankets once so warm."What's up?" "Oh, nothing." I expect they knew ...And, in the morning, cornflakes, bread and tea,Cook's Farm Eggs and a spoon of marmalade,Which heralded the North and Hillard hoursOf Latin composition, brought the post.Breakfast and letters! Then it was a flashOf hope, escape and inspiration came:Invent a letter of bad news from home.I hung my head and tried to look as though,By keeping such a stiff upper lipAnd just not blubbing, I was noble too.I sought out Mandeville. "I say," I said,"I'm frightfully sorry I can't fight today.I've just received some rotten news from home:My mater's very ill." No need for more-His arm was round my shoulder comforting:"All right, old chap. Of course I understand."John BetjemanExtract from Summoned By Bells